http://www.davidford.org/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from David Ford MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party en-GB David Ford MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party http://www.davidford.org/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2012 David Ford MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party 2012-05-21T11:24+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.davidford.org/news/000556/ford_insists_on_meaningful_shared_future_strategy_and_says_alliance_wont_compromise_on_it.html Alliance Leader and Minister of Justice David Ford has made a key note address at the Community Relations Council conference at the Titanic Signature Project this morning. 2012-05-14T11:57+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000555/new_trustees_for_the_ruc_george_cross_foundation_sought.html As Minister of Justice, I launched the competition for Trustees for The RUC George Cross Foundation which has an important place in the wider policing family and carries out a significant job in providing support to serving and ex-police officers and their families. I encourage anyone who has an interest in policing and who believes they can make a positive contribution to apply. 2012-04-12T17:30+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000554/kelly_describes_antrim_hate_crime_attack_as_despicable.html Alliance Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly has described a hate crime attack on a car as despicable. The car in Tower Way was set on fire in the early hours of Saturday. 2012-03-31T12:09+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000553/condolences_following_former_deputy_party_leader_addie_morrows_death.html Together with Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MP I expressed my condolences following the death of former Deputy Leader Addie Morrow. Addie served as a Councillor on Castlereagh Council and in the 1982 Assembly. 2012-03-30T10:31+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000552/kelly_commends_police_after_arrests_in_connection_with_human_trafficking.html Alliance Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly has commended the work of the police after three people in Antrim and Randalstown were arrested in connection with human trafficking. A handgun was also recovered by police during the raids. 2012-03-09T10:57+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000551/alliance_helping_local_people_in_alderly_and_ayelesbury_on_road_maintenance.html Together with Newtownabbey Alliance Councillors Lynn Frazer and John Blair, I met with Environment Minister Alex Attwood and Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy regarding the potential adoption of roads and the water supply in the Aylesbury and Alderly housing developments off the N21 off the Mallusk Road. It looks like the N21 is to be adopted by Roads Service in the near future. 2012-02-28T10:17+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000550/planning_reversal_on_parkgate_quarry_is_very_welcome.html Today I welcomed the decision by Planning Service to withdraw two contentious planning applications from the meeting with Antrim Council on 21 February.  They concerned plans for a waste facility and a landfill at Parkgate Quarry. 2012-02-22T09:49+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000549/tribute_to_the_folks_on_the_hill_creator_and_political_satirist_sean_crummey.html Sean Crummey, political satirist who was best known for his television and radio show "the Folks on the Hill" died yesterday, I would like to extend my sympathies to Sean Crummey's families and friends. Sean was one of Northern Ireland's most popular and admired comics. 2011-11-14T10:50+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000547/congratulations_to_michael_d_higgins_as_hes_elected_president_of_ireland.html As he was set to be announced President of Ireland, I congratulated Michael D Higgins and told him that I looked forward to close co-operation with him. I also praised Mary McAleese on her successful time as President and wished her well for the future. 2011-10-29T12:05+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000548/northern_ireland_still_needs_an_independent_environmental_protection_agency.html Today in an Assembly adjournment debate on pollution at the Sixmilewater River, speaking as Alliance MLA for South Antrim, I re-emphasised my belief that there is the need for the creation of an independent Environmental Protection Agency: 2011-10-18T17:15+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000546/highlighting_initative_to_give_schools_free_tickets_to_london_2012_olympic_games.html Schools right across the United Kingdom are being given the opportunity to get involved in a once in a lifetime event. As Assembly Member for South Antrim, I have written to the Principals of the schools in the constituency to make sure that they know about the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative. 2011-10-11T10:17+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000545/delivery_of_courses_more_important_than_the_building_at_antrim_campus.html Today I expressed my regrets that the Antrim campus of the Northern Regional College is to close. It is important to note that the key issue is maintaining frontline services, courses and the staff who deliver them to people in the area. I have spoken with a senior officer at the College who mentioned the provision of additional computers for Parkhall College to assist the delivery of courses there. 2011-09-12T16:30+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000543/supporting_police_action_on_flags_in_ballyclare.html Today I repeated my condemnation of those who rioted in Ballyclare on Saturday and I said that police officers acted entirely in accordance with the flags protocol. I said: "Last year, a number of flags were removed from the vicinity of two Ballyclare churches as a result of negotiation. This year, I understand that local police representatives had lengthy negotiations about the removal of both paramilitary flags and flags outside the Catholic church, but these negotiations were not successful. 2011-07-10T20:59+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000544/webb_and_ford_appalled_at_trouble_in_ballyclare.html Alliance Mayor of Newtownabbey Cllr Billy Webb and I have condemned the trouble in Ballyclare on Saturday night in which a number of vehicles were burned and six police officers were hurt. 2011-07-10T10:58+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/news/000541/reaction_to_arson_attack_on_my_constituency_office.html Reacting to the news of the arson attack which happened overnight at his constituency office in Glengormley, I said: "This is a despicable attack on an office which provides an important service to the whole community. This was a cowardly and cynical attack. 2011-07-06T09:52+01:00